Sometimes my job is really cool and I get to interview people who are incredible and inspiring… like Arielle Vey! I’ve been a long-time fan of her photography and Instagram for so long. Her blend of juicy, saturated color with warm neutrals is so dreamy! Plus, she’s a PNW girl. Instant bonus points for that. Arielle is also a small space dweller and works out of her home. When she was interested in being part of the Small Space Squad, I jumped at the chance to share her home! Let’s take a peek into Arielle’s tiny home, shall we?
Home Tour: Inside the Colorful and Cozy Apartment of Arielle Vey
Who: Arielle Vey
Where: Oceanside, CA
Number of years spent living small: 7 years
To start, tell me your story about how you ultimately ended up choosing a small space?
My boyfriend (now husband) and I got our first apartment in Oceanside, CA straight out of college when we were 22. It was a 1940’s 7-unit apartment building across the street from the beach. We got a call one day saying that we had to be out in 30 days so that the owners could convert the building into vacation rentals. To our surprise, we were offered a one bedroom apartment in the same neighborhood and that’s where we’ve been ever since!
What is your biggest challenge in your small space?
I started working from home full time in 2013 and have never had a separate office. I’ve always managed to make it work and feel incredibly grateful to able to do what I love from my apartment. My husband started working with me full time and since our “office” is in the main living area, we’ve had to come up with some creative ways to have our own space and get work done.
What is your favorite part about living small?
I love that I can see everything at a glance and it feels so cozy (especially around the holidays!). It definitely lends to not keep as much stuff which has become so important to me. I love this space in particular because it’s so open as soon as you walk in and the bedroom is super private.
What is your number one hack for living small?
Keep it open and airy. Bright whites help so much in a small space which is one of the main reasons we painted our kitchen and took off two huge cabinet doors.
Do you ever feel pressure to be “minimalistic” or feel guilty about buying things you don’t “need” for your home?’
We’re actually in the process of getting rid of a lot of stuff that we no longer need. Since we’ve been in this apartment for a while I love being able to switch it up and keep it fresh. Now, everything I bring in is thought out and I have a plan for it. I love removing something in exchange for a new thing that will get great use… so satisfying!
What have you learned about yourself by living small?
That I don’t need to have a ton of space to be happy and live my best life. We have a goal of buying a house one day and while I don’t know what that will look like in size, I will be thrilled with just about anything.
What’s your number one storage hack?
I have a few space saver bags for things like large comforters (for guests) and we use shallow storage bins under our bed for miscellaneous things we don’t use on a regular basis.
Who is your biggest small space inspiration?
100% @whitneyleighmorris. She always has great tips and her styling in conjunction with functionality is genius. I love her IG and blog!
What do your friends and family say about your choice to live small?
We’ve really made this space a home and everyone loves it! Our neighborhood is wonderful and this type of apartment is so common in this area. We love it here and it will be bittersweet when we leave!
Thank you so much to Arielle Vey, for giving us a peek into your life! Be sure to look Arielle’s Instagram feed for more of her gorgeous photography and home inspiration.
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